My favorite idiot-proof cookbook is the classic Betty Crocker cookbook. And it comes with pictures. Back in print now.

Another one I really like is the Nourishing Traditions cookbook by Sally Fallon. Great if you like to cook everything from scratch. Gives instructions for all sorts of items (fermented vegetables, mayonnaise, etc etc) and has a lot of interesting sidebar articles on nutrition. Note, however, that you won't like this book if you're wedded to the USDA food pyramid. It revels in saturated fat.